Makur ku Magak:”I am paralysed on my right side, and I am now living in my ancestral village in Aguok, Gogrial.”

Deng Kuot Thiec is a South Sudanese folklore singer, a musician whose songs were sung by the old and young people during the Sudanese war. Encoded into these songs were the messages of coexistence and unity within the South Sudanese people. This talent brought Deng closer to the leadership of the SPLM which was led by Dr John Garang de Mabior and now President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Singer Deng Kuot Thiec in his military uniform Source: Supplied

For the first time on SBS Dinka radio, we contacted Deng Kuot Thiec while living in the rural village in Aguok of Gogrial State. Deng is a man of many names, and that is coming from his talent. He is well known as Deng-makur, Deng-panan and Makur ku Magak to many of the unaccompanied minors who once lived with him in Ethiopia refugee camp. Deng was the source of entertainment. In 2016, Deng was moved to his ancestral village where he now lives with his older siblings, younger children and a wife. Deng said that the illness has since paralysed his right limbs and he finds it hard to walk around. Here is the interview on  SBS Dinka Radio.